Frankenstein Cake

This Frankenstein Cake is the ultimate Halloween dessert, combining a fun theme with delicious flavors. The vibrant green velvet cake layers are paired with a creamy and rich buttercream, making it a standout centerpiece for any spooky celebration. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or looking for a unique birthday cake, this dessert is sure to delight both kids and adults alike. Its playful design and delightful taste make it an unforgettable treat for all occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Eye-Catching Design: The bright green color and fun decorations make this cake perfect for Halloween festivities.
• Moist and Flavorful: The combination of buttermilk and butter ensures each bite is soft, moist, and bursting with flavor.
• Easy to Customize: You can tweak the colors or decorations to fit any theme or event, making it versatile for different celebrations.
• Family Fun: Baking this cake can be a fun activity for the whole family, allowing everyone to get creative with decorating!
• Delicious Cream Cheese Buttercream: The creamy frosting complements the cake perfectly, adding a rich texture that everyone will love.

Tools and Preparation

Before you start baking your Frankenstein cake, gather your tools to ensure everything goes smoothly. Having the right equipment helps in achieving the best results.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• 10-inch greaseproof cake board
• Spinning cake stand
• Small offset spatula
• 1 large piping bag
• 3 small piping bags
• 2 large round piping tips (like a Wilton 2A)
• 1 small round piping tip (like a Wilton 12)
• 1 tiny piping tip (like a Wilton 3)

Importance of Each Tool

• Spinning Cake Stand: This tool makes frosting your cake easier by allowing you to rotate it without moving around.
• Piping Bags: Using piping bags gives you control when decorating the cake, ensuring clean lines and beautiful designs.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour (300g)
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (10g)
• 1 tsp baking soda (6g)
• 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (350g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature (300g)
• 2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil (145g)
• 2 squirts of green gel food coloring (or 1 Tbsp liquid food coloring)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g)
• 1 tsp white vinegar (4g)

For the Buttercream

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (339g – 3 sticks)
• 1/2 cup full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (113g or 4 oz.)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (12g)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 8 cups powdered sugar (1000g)
• 2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream, room temperature (30g)

For Decoration

• Electric Green Gel Food Coloring
• Black Gel Food Coloring

How to Make Frankenstein Cake

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake.

Step 2: Prepare Your Cake Pans

Grease two round 9-inch cake pans with butter or non-stick spray. Then line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:
1. Cake flour
2. Cocoa powder
3. Baking soda
4. Salt

Set this mixture aside as you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl:
1. Beat together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until fluffy.
2. Add in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

Slowly mix in:
1. Buttermilk
2. Vegetable oil
3. Vanilla extract
4. Vinegar

Stir until blended.

Step 6: Combine Mixtures

Gradually add dry ingredients into wet ingredients:
1. Mix until just combined.
2. Add green gel food coloring until desired color is achieved.

Step 7: Bake the Cakes

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans:
1. Bake for about 28 minutes.
2. Check doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool Cakes

Once baked:
1. Let cakes cool in pans for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

Step 9: Make Buttercream Frosting

In another bowl:
1. Beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing on low speed.
3. Pour in heavy cream and continue mixing until light and fluffy.

Step 10: Assemble and Decorate Cake

Once cooled:
1. Place one layer on your greaseproof board and spread buttercream on top.
2. Add second layer and cover entire cake with remaining buttercream.
3. Use piping bags to create fun decorations using black gel food coloring for details!

Enjoy creating your spooky masterpiece!

How to Serve Frankenstein Cake

This delightful Frankenstein cake is not only a treat for the eyes but a tasty dessert for any Halloween celebration. Here are some fun and creative serving suggestions to make your cake stand out.

Individual Slices

• Serve each slice on a decorative plate with a drizzle of chocolate or green icing for an extra spooky touch.

Mini Cupcakes

• Use leftover batter to create mini cupcakes topped with green cream cheese frosting. These are great for parties and easy to grab!

Cake Pops

• Transform stale pieces of the cake into cake pops, dipping them in green chocolate and adding spooky decorations.

Dessert Bar

• Set up a dessert bar featuring slices of Frankenstein cake alongside Halloween-themed treats like ghost cookies and pumpkin cupcakes.

Themed Plates

• Use Halloween-themed plates and napkins for serving the cake to enhance the festive atmosphere at your gathering.

How to Perfect Frankenstein Cake

To ensure your Frankenstein cake turns out perfectly, keep these tips in mind.

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ingredients like butter, eggs, and buttermilk mix better when they are at room temperature, leading to a fluffier cake.

• Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense texture, which we want to avoid.

• Level Your Cake Layers: After baking, use a serrated knife to level each layer before stacking. This ensures that your cake stands tall and looks impressive.

• Chill the Cake Before Frosting: Allow the cake layers to cool completely in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before frosting. This helps prevent the frosting from melting.

• Experiment with Colors: Feel free to add more food coloring or mix colors for unique designs on your frosting or decorations.

Best Side Dishes for Frankenstein Cake

Pair your delicious Frankenstein cake with these side dishes that complement its festive spirit.

1. Pumpkin Spice Cookies: Soft and chewy cookies flavored with pumpkin spices make a perfect fall treat alongside your cake.

2. Ghostly Meringues: Light and airy meringue cookies shaped like ghosts provide a whimsical contrast in texture and appearance.

3. Witch’s Brew Punch: A refreshing fruit punch made with various juices and sparkling water adds a fun drink option that fits the theme perfectly.

4. Spider Web Brownies: Rich chocolate brownies drizzled with white icing create an inviting dessert that matches well with the spooky vibe of Frankenstein cake.

5. Candy Corn Fruit Salad: A colorful fruit salad layered in candy corn style offers a sweet, healthy option to balance out the richness of the cake.

6. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries: Fresh strawberries dipped in dark chocolate add elegance and sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the cream cheese frosting of the cake.

7. Cauldron Dip: A creamy spinach dip served in a hollowed-out bread bowl pairs well as an appetizer before enjoying dessert.

8. Monster Marshmallow Pops: Fun marshmallow pops decorated as monsters make for an interactive treat that kids will love!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making a Frankenstein cake, avoiding common mistakes can enhance your baking experience and the final product.

• Overmixing the Batter: This can lead to a dense cake. Mix until just combined to keep it light and fluffy.
• Skipping Room Temperature Ingredients: Cold ingredients can affect the batter’s consistency. Always use room temperature butter, eggs, and buttermilk for better blending.
• Ignoring Oven Temperature: An inaccurate oven temperature can ruin your cake. Use an oven thermometer to ensure it’s at the right setting.
• Not Letting It Cool Properly: Removing the cake too soon can cause it to break. Allow your layers to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
• Using Low-Quality Food Coloring: Cheap food coloring may not provide vibrant colors. Invest in high-quality gel food coloring for the best results.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Place parchment paper between layers if stacking to prevent sticking.

Freezing Frankenstein Cake

• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for up to 3 months.
• Whole cakes should be wrapped securely and placed in a freezer-safe container.

Reheating Frankenstein Cake

• Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and wrap slices in foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes.
• Microwave: Heat individual slices on a microwave-safe plate for 15-20 seconds or until warm.
• Stovetop: Use a skillet over low heat. Cover with a lid and warm for about 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making a Frankenstein cake that might help you during your baking journey.

What is Frankenstein Cake?

Frankenstein cake is a fun, themed dessert perfect for Halloween, featuring vibrant green velvet layers and cream cheese buttercream.

How do I achieve the perfect green color?

To get a bright green color, use high-quality gel food coloring. Start with less and add more as needed until you reach your desired shade.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the layers up to two days in advance or freeze them for longer storage before decorating.

What are some customization options?

You can customize this Frankenstein cake by adding spooky decorations like candy eyes or using different colors for frosting.

Final Thoughts

This Frankenstein cake is not only visually striking but also deliciously moist with its green velvet layers and creamy frosting. It’s perfect for Halloween gatherings or any festive occasion. Feel free to customize it with unique decorations or flavors that suit your taste!